Division 6C.2 — MINIMUM DENSITY

A. Intent

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City of Los Angeles Zoning Code Chapter 1A

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The Minimum Dwelling Units per Lot Area standard is intended to implement State housing

element law requirements for designated Lower Income Housing Element Rezoning Sites, and to advance the goals, policies, and objectives identified in the 2021-2029 Housing Element.

B. Applicability

1. The Minimum Dwelling Units per Lot Area standard applies when a project involves the

following project activities: new construction, major remodel, exterior modifcationi, use

modifcationi, temporary use, demolition, renovation.

2. The minimum density rules in this Section (Minimum Dwelling Units Per Lot Area) apply to any

project that includes dwelling units located on a lot where Minimum Dwelling Units per Lot

Area is listed in Div. 6B.2. (Lot Area-Based Districts) as “Applicable”, “Market-Contingent”, or “As

Mapped” by the applied Density District (Part 6B.) .

C. Standards

1. Applicable

Where the applied Density District specifies Minimum Dwelling Units per Lot Area as

“Applicable” any project on the lot must propose a minimum of one dwelling unit per 2,000

square feet of lot area, which can be a combination of household dwelling units and efficiency

dwelling units where permitted. Dwelling units provided as accessory dwelling units, pursuant

to Div. 9.5. (Accessory Dwelling Unit Incentive Program), count toward the required minimum

density on the lot.

2. Market Contingent

a. Where the applied Density District specifies Minimum Density as “Market-Contingent,”

any project on a lot that is located within a High or Medium High Residential Market Area as identified by City Council resolution pursuant to Sec. 15.4.3.C.1. (Affordable Housing

Linkage Fee), must propose a minimum of one dwelling unit per 2,000 square feet of lot

area, which can be a combination of household dwelling units and efficiency dwelling

units where permitted. Dwelling units provided as accessory dwelling units, pursuant to

Div. 9.5. (Accessory Dwelling Unit Incentive Program), count toward the required minimum

density on the lot.

b. Where the applied Density District specifies Minimum Density as “Market-Contingent,”

any project on a lot that is located within a Low, Medium, or Not Applicable Market Area as identified by City Council resolution pursuant to Sec. 15.4.3.C.1. (Affordable Housing

Linkage Fee), are not subject to any minimum density requirements, unless they are

located on a lot mapped on the Lower Income Rezoning Housing Element Sites Map

Sec. 6C.2.1. (Minimum Dwelling Units Per Lot Area) | 6-20 Last amended by Ord. 188,480 (Resolution), Eff. 06/18/2025

[ FORM - FRONTAGE - STANDARDS ] [ USE - DENSITY ] Div. 6C.2. (Minimum Density)

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City of Los Angeles Zoning Code Chapter 1A

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(Sec. 1.5.15.) . If the project is located on a lot mapped on the Lower Income Rezoning

Housing Element Sites Map (Sec. 1.5.15.), the project shall include a minimum density of 20

dwelling units per acre, which may include a combination of household dwelling units and

efficiency dwelling units where permitted. Dwelling units provided as accessory dwelling

units, pursuant to Div. 9.5. (Accessory Dwelling Unit Incentive Program), count toward the

required minimum density on the lot.

3. As Mapped

a. Where the applied Density District (Part 6B.) specifies Minimum Density as “As Mapped,”

any project on a lot mapped on the Lower Income Rezoning Housing Element Sites Map

(Sec. 1.5.15.) shall include a minimum density of 20 dwelling units per acre, which may

include a combination of household dwelling units and efficiency dwelling units where

permitted. Dwelling units provided as accessory dwelling units, pursuant to Div. 9.5.

(Accessory Dwelling Unit Incentive Program), count toward the required minimum density

on the lot.

b. Where the applied Density District specifies Minimum Density as “As Mapped,” any project

on a lot that is not mapped on the Lower Income Rezoning Housing Element Sites Map

(Sec. 1.5.15.) is not subject to any minimum density requirements.

D. Measurement

1. The required minimum number of household dwelling units is calculated by dividing the lot

area by 2,000 square feet, and can be provided in combination with efficiency dwelling units where permitted, as calculated in Sec. 6C.1.3. (Lot Area per Efficiency Dwelling Unit) . Lot area

that has been committed to the minimum lot area required per household dwelling unit does

not count toward the minimum lot area required for an efficiency dwelling unit. An Accessory

Dwelling Unit counts toward the required minimum number of household dwelling units.

2. For lots that are adjacent to one or more alleys, the minimum number of household dwelling

units may be calculated using the lot area plus the area between the exterior lot lines and the

centerline of the alley.

3. If the minimum number of household dwelling units is a fraction, the minimum density

required shall be rounded up to the nearest unit.

4. When density is designated as "Not Permitted," household dwelling units are not permitted.

E. Exceptions

A project or lot that meets any of the following criteria is exempt from the minimum density

requirement established in Subsection C. (Standards), above. However, a project or a lot located

on the Lower Income Rezoning Housing Element Sites Map (Sec. 1.5.15.) is not subject to the

exceptions listed below and must comply in all cases with the requirements of Subsection C.

(Standards), above.

Sec. 6C.2.1. (Minimum Dwelling Units Per Lot Area) | 6-21 Last amended by Ord. 188,480 (Resolution), Eff. 06/18/2025

[ FORM - FRONTAGE - STANDARDS ] [ USE - DENSITY ] Div. 6C.2. (Minimum Density)

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City of Los Angeles Zoning Code Chapter 1A

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1. The project is limited to new construction of 1,500 square feet or less on a lot with existing

buildings or structures, results in no increase in dwelling units and involves no demolition of an

existing dwelling unit(s);

2. A project where the only new dwelling unit added on the lot is an Accessory Dwelling Unit(s);

3. A project to reconstruct an existing dwelling unit damaged by a disaster or deemed unsafe by

the Department of Building and Safety, and results in no increase to the amount of foor areal

in the prior building or buildings;

4. A development located on any of the environmentally sensitive sites specified in

subparagraphs (B) to (K) of California Government Code Sec. 65913.4(a)(6), including a Very

High Fire Hazard Severity Zone, regardless of any mitigation;

5. A project on a lot listed in Sec. 1.5.6. (Hillside Area Map), where at least 60 percent of the lot is

composed of slopes which are 30 percent or greater;

6. A lot that has an applied Open Space Use District (Div. 5B.1.) ;

7. A lot that contains a designated historic resource; or

8. A lot that cannot achieve the minimum density requirement due to any objective provision of

this Code that physically precludes the construction of a development, as determined by the

Department of Building and Safety, or due to any provision of a Specifc Plani, or a Community

Plan Implementation Overlay.

Sec. 6C.2.1. (Minimum Dwelling Units Per Lot Area) | 6-22 Last amended by Ord. 188,480 (Resolution), Eff. 06/18/2025